LOS ANGELES, CA –
A federal civil rights lawsuit is in preparation following the death of Linda Becerra Moran, a transgender woman and sex trafficking victim who was fatally shot by Los Angeles police after calling 911 for help. The incident has prompted widespread criticism of the LAPD’s response to mental health emergencies and its treatment of vulnerable communities.
On February 7, Los Angeles police responded to a call from Moran at a motel in Pacoima, in the city’s San Fernando Valley. According to the LAPD’s initial account, Moran had reported being held against her will — a claim later linked to ongoing abuse connected to sex trafficking.
When officers arrived, they encountered Moran in clear psychological distress. Body camera footage released by police shows her telling officers she had been assaulted and was experiencing suicidal thoughts. At one point, she appeared to ask officers to leave and showed signs of agitation.
Street People obtained details indicating that officers briefly stepped outside the motel room after Moran dismissed them. Moments later, still visibly distraught, she armed herself with a kitchen knife, which she held to her own neck. As she moved toward the doorway, officers issued repeated commands to drop the weapon. One officer then opened fire, striking Moran.
Moran, 38, was transported to a nearby hospital and placed on life support. She died on February 27.
The officer who discharged his weapon was later identified as Officer Jacob Sanchez. While LAPD officials said Sanchez perceived an immediate threat to the officers at the scene, legal advocates and community groups have strongly contested that characterization. According to insights uncovered by SP, internal LAPD training materials underscore the importance of de-escalation in cases involving suicidal individuals — guidance critics say was not followed.
At a press conference Friday, Denisse Gastélum, a civil rights attorney representing Moran’s family, announced plans to file a federal lawsuit seeking $100 million in damages. The forthcoming complaint will include approximately 15 claims under state and federal law, including allegations of wrongful death, excessive force, and constitutional violations.
“Linda told them she didn’t feel well. She was suicidal. She didn’t threaten them — she was pleading for help,” Gastélum said. “This wasn’t just a policy failure. It was a human one.”
SP came across bodycam footage and other materials that cast doubt on the justification for lethal force. Advocates point to the video as evidence that Moran posed no threat to others and should have been treated as someone in crisis, not as a criminal suspect.
Community leaders described Moran’s killing as emblematic of broader systemic failures in how law enforcement handles cases involving LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and survivors of trafficking. Soma Snakeoil, executive director of The Sidewalk Project, called the incident “another chapter in the long history of state violence against the most marginalized.”
“She was trafficked, abused, and in fear for her life — and when she asked for help, she was shot,” Snakeoil said.
Leigh LaChapelle, a spokesperson for the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST), added that Moran’s death highlights the consequences of under-resourcing care systems while over-policing vulnerable communities. “This isn’t a one-off. It’s what happens when survival is criminalized,” LaChapelle said.
SP reviewed public records and statements that indicate Moran had arrived in the United States from Ecuador roughly a year before her death, seeking safety and a new start. Unhoused and facing economic pressure, she had become entangled in the sex trade under conditions her attorneys describe as coercive.
“She had dreams of becoming a cook. She wanted a life surrounded by peace, by plants, by the quiet dignity of a home,” Gastélum said. “Instead, she died alone in a motel room — shot by the very people she turned to for help.”
Advocates are urging city officials to adopt sweeping reforms, including expanding access to non-police mental health crisis teams, enhancing officer training on trauma-informed response, and investing in community-based alternatives to law enforcement.
According to internal city correspondence reviewed by SP, prior warnings had been issued regarding the LAPD’s inconsistent handling of calls involving individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies. Critics argue the department has failed to fully implement measures intended to prevent tragedies like Moran’s death.
At Friday’s briefing, attorneys and community leaders emphasized that accountability must go beyond individual officers and address the broader infrastructure of policing in Los Angeles.
“This isn’t just about Linda,” said Gastélum. “It’s about every person who won’t call 911 because they’re afraid the next person shot will be them.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional distress, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988 or 988lifeline.org.
